Katie Lou Samuelson could be the biggest recruit to make her way to Storrs since Breanna Stewart arrived on the scene two years ago and helped the Huskies to two straight national titles. For now, though, Samuelson, who will be a high school senior next season, will represent the United States team playing in the FIBA U-17 World Championships -- assuming she's healthy.
Samuelson injured her ankle Sunday night during U-17 tryouts, but hopes to be ready when the U.S. begins training camp on June 12.
“I stepped on my teammate’s foot when I was closing out for the ball and I just went down,” Samuelson said, via SNY.com. “I’ve had little tweaks before but this is the first time I actually sprained it. It hurt when it first happened but I didn’t think it was that bad. I tried to get up and I couldn’t walk. They took the sneaker off and it was pretty swollen.
“Hopefully the MRI will go well and I’ll be able to come back here for the start of training camp.”
Also making the team: De’Janae Boykin, another UConn commitment for the class of 2015. Asia Durr, considered the other best rising senior in the country alongside Samuelson, is on the squad too. The difference: Durr has yet to pick a college and the Huskies would be keen to land her. For the time being, Durr's just excited to represent her country.
“It’s a different team but I’m ready to go out there and play,” Durr said. “I was shocked to hear my name. I didn’t think I played that well. I am very thankful. I need to get better shape and get stronger with my shot and improve my ball skills before camp.”
If the Huskies managed to land Durr, she'd join a 2015 class that includes Samuelson, Boykin, Napheesa Collier, and Georgetown transfer Natalie Butler, the 2013-14 Big East Freshman of the Year.
